Social Security Disability Myths Busted!

By
The Zendeh Del Law Firm
|September 03, 2015

If you have been injured in an accident, or if you are in such bad health
that you cannot work, you may be considering applying for
Social Security Disability benefits, a federal program that provides assistance to individuals with
disabilities.

If you’ve been reluctant to apply for SSDI benefits because you’re
afraid that there will be mountains of paperwork, and you’ll probably
get denied anyway, take heart: with the right help, it doesn’t have
to be a painful, and arduous process.

There are a lot of myths floating around about SSDI, so to help sort out
the myths from the facts, our Social Security Disability attorney is going
to give you a little insight on the subject.

Myth: Why should I apply if I’ll be denied? Not everyone is denied. While the Social Security Administration’s
standards are strict, if a person is truly disabled and unable to work,
they should be approved.

If an applicant is denied the first time they apply, they can appeal. If
the SSA determines that you are disabled, they will pay out.

Myth: Most of my income will be replaced by SSDI. Social Security Disability will not replace 100% of a worker’s income;
the benefits are modest. At the beginning of 2015, the average monthly
disability benefit was $1,165. SSD benefits are meant to help disabled
people meet their basic needs; the program replaces some, but not all
of a person’s income.

Myth: I can’t work if I’m collecting benefits. You can actually return to work while collecting SSDI benefits. The SSA
has special rules that help people get back to work without jeopardizing
their benefits. In some cases, people can have a trial work period for
nine months to test whether they are able to work.

Myth: I’ll qualify if my doctor says I’m disabled. This decision is a legal one, not a medical one – this is a critical
point that many people misunderstand. Your doctor must be a credible medical
professional who provides honest and detailed information. Once all of
the medical evidence is filed, the decision is up to the Social Security
Administration.

Myth: Once you’re approved for SSDI benefits, you get them for life. This may be true, but it’s not automatic. With advances in rehabilitation
therapy and medical technology, many people get better. The Social Security
Administration reviews medical conditions periodically.

If a medical condition is expected to improve, the first review is typically
6 to 18 months after the date the person became disabled. If there is
a possibility of improvement, but it’s unpredictable, the reviews
are usually conducted every three years. If a condition is not expected
to improve, reviews are usually conducted every seven years.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.